ppl of the lie, contd

6. MYLAI
Interesting prelude: Before exorcism fell into deserved ill-repute, exorcists were considered fairly low in Church hierarchy. And deservedly. It's easier to cast out demons from the truly evil than to discern and battle evil on the vestry, in the pews, on the street.

A. Crimes
Task Force Barker, on March 16, 1968, moved into MyLai, in Quang Ngai, in S Vietnam, searching to destroy Vietcong harbored by villagers. C (Charlie) Company of 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 11th Light Infantry Brigade moved in, discovering not a single combatant, but women, children and old men.

Five to six hundred were killed in a variety of ways. In huts, running away.

The largest casualties were in MyLai 4. The 1st Platoon, commanded by Lietenant Wm. Calley, killed 20 to 40 villagers at a time.

Perhaps only 50 people pulled triggers. Perhaps 500 knew within a week of the event, which lasted hour. Approx 200 witnesses, eventual charges to 25. Six went to trial. One was convicted: William J Calley, Jr.

Failure to report a crime is a crime. A helicopter pilot tried to stop the massacre, but after he radioed HQ and superiors, who seemed unconcerned, he gave up.

The public learned of MyLai a year later, March, 1969, from a man who had heard of the event, had written Congressmen three months after his return to civilian life.

The author, M Scott Peck, headed a committee of three psychologists commissioned by the Surgeon General of the Army to recommend research to prevent such behavior in future. Their recommendation was dismissed on the grounds that embarrassment would ensue.

B. Preface to group evil

oh my: Not My Job. Specialization leads to group behavior that excuses individuals because "it's not my job"? oh and then group pressure not to "tell" and mess with the group itself.

And then, there is the possibility that the men who observed, who participated were not aware they had committed a crime. they had not murdered.

C. Up the Ladder of Collective Responsibility

1. Stress effects
2. Group dependency on the leader

I cannot go on. It's time to stop.

people of the lie: the hope for healing...

5

A. Does dvl exist?
George and Charlene: tentatively
Reality of benign spirit, God
Reality of human evil
99% psychiatrists and most clergy do not believe in evil spirits
Evidence?
Literature often poor
Thoughtful writers state genuine possession is very rare
Two cases, few details
Malachi Martin's "Hostage to the Dvl"

B. Delta (Exorcism: Psychotherapy)
1. Conceptual frames of ref of Xianity and psychoanalysis
2. Use of power radically different
a. restraint of patient
b. teams used in exorcism
c. length of time for patient: "surgery" vs treatment
d. God and love
e. intensity
invasion, "rape", brainwashing
f. written informed consent
loss of freedom
appointed guardian's consent possibly (but impractical and improbable)
g. safeguards against power
1. videotape
2. authorization
3. love
h. possible failure (undocumented here)
1. strength of demon vs. person or team
2. will of person
i. risks
1. failure sickens person more
2. death
3. psychological effects on team and person

C. Diagnosis and Treatment
1. Diagnosis
a.Mental illness always present
Depression, hysteria...
b. Loneliness
c. Voices (after exorcism, gradually leave)
d. Victims of human evil
e. Deep hurt from those in guise of church with minor support from church
f. Struggle: best interests not being served; "partial" possession
g. Multiple personality disorder versus possession
h. Age of possession young
i. Potentially holy personalities?
2. Treatment
a. Deliverance. charismatic.
b. Evaluation
Stage 1: Pretense
Partial Penetration of pretense
c. Exorcism
Prayer. Ritual. Silence.
Emergence of demon: facial expressions, words, tones.
Expulsion: prayer, prayer, prayer. Crucifix. Free will necessary.
d. Continued psychoanalysis. Core personality is age of first possession.
3. Team
Victim's first true community.

"I suspect that when seven to ten people gather together at personal risk, motivated by love and healing, God will be there (as His Son assured He would) and that healing will occur" 199

D. Research and teaching

E. The Father of the Lie
Lucifer: Light Bearer. spiritual growth of humans through testing and temptation.
satan: Greek, adversary
devil and diabolic: Greek, "diabalein," to oppose.
God sent Christ to be an example of love and to teach love, more than test, superceding Lucifer; Antichrist.
God creates, not destroys. Free will (and sin?) are the price of love.
Satan has no power except in a human body
Only power is through belief in its lies.

Which reminds me of Glinda's words to the Wicked Witch of the West: "Ha ha ha ha ha! You have no power here. Begone! Before someone drops a house on you."

I am deeply intrigued with this book. Less interested (at least initially!) in possession and exorcism, but drawn to the title. Lies. and healing thereof.